Norway has opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland over his contacts with deceased US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The probe, announced by Norway’s anti-corruption agency, Økokrim, focuses on whether Jagland received improper gifts or favors during his high-profile international career.
Jagland, who served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997, later held significant roles including Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2009–2019) and Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (2009–2015). Økokrim has requested the Foreign Ministry to lift his diplomatic immunity to facilitate the investigation. Agency head Pal Lonseth stated the inquiry will examine potential aggravated corruption linked to his official positions.
The investigation follows the release of documents from Epstein’s estate, which contain several references to Jagland. Emails from 2012 and 2013 show Jagland discussing travel with Epstein. In a May 2012 message, he wrote of being in Tirana with “extraordinary girls.” A January 2013 email referenced plans to visit Epstein’s private Caribbean island with his family, adding, “I can’t keep it going only with young women as you know.”
Jagland, speaking to Norwegian newspaper VG, described the emails as containing “embarrassing jargon” that could be misinterpreted. He insisted he never visited Epstein’s properties without his wife and denied ever staying on the private island. His lawyer, Anders Brosveet, confirmed he would cooperate fully with investigators, expressing confidence in a favorable outcome based on the information gathered.
The case marks a rare legal scrutiny of a former Norwegian head of government and a former senior European diplomat. It highlights ongoing international reviews of prominent figures’ ties to Epstein. Økokrim’s actions underscore efforts to determine if any official acts were influenced by personal connections with the disgraced financier, whose history of sexual abuse of minors was established in criminal proceedings before his 2019 death. The outcome of the investigation will depend on the evidence presented following the immunity waiver process.
